The Mapaches group is for students who have learned how to be responsible for themselves, are respectful of nature, and are aware of the potential dangers of the woods. These students have achieved a level of independence and are ready to learn how to work as a pack.  They have earned the instructor’s trust, allowing them to venture into the woods with less supervision. Mapaches focuses on the practical application of sur-thrival skills with particular emphasis on building outdoor camps with limited supplies and resources. This will include learning practical knots, basic knife skills, and how to use items typically found in a survival pack.

For Fall of 2023, the Mapaches group will be learning about Appalachian animals!

Parents: personal responsibility is a BIG part of this club, so remind your child to prepare and encourage them to pack their own gear the night before. We will be going outside in ALL weather types (Cold, wet, rainy, and muddy!). Please feel free to e-mail Ms. T at [email protected] if you have questions about gear. Each child needs to bring a backpack, a water bottle or camel pack, and a nut-free snack with a label for each adventure.

*Study hall for MLA students will be from 3:15 until 4:00 to allow time for public school
and home-school students to travel to MLA. We will begin class promptly at 4:00!

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Zorros (Foxes)

– Thursdays starting August 31st until November 17th
– 4:00 pm to 5:45 pm*
– Students may arrive as early as 3:15
– 5th Grade through 8th Grade
– Instructors: Ms. Lauren
– Cost: $225
– Fall Theme: Skills Challenges and Games
– Campout: September 29th – September 30th

The Zorros program is the next step for students graduating from the Mapaches. Each semester they will learn various skills that will advance them towards their Mountain Medic certification.  Zorros have increased responsibilities and will learn that their actions and decisions can have consequences.  Zorros will have the opportunity to be invited into our Cheat Mountain Campus summer program.

Parents: personal responsibility is a BIG part of this club, so remind your child to prepare and encourage them to pack their own gear the night before. We will be going outside in ALL weather types (Cold, wet, rainy, and muddy!). Please feel free to e-mail Zorro instructor Ms. Lauren at [email protected] if you have questions about gear. Each child needs to bring a backpack, a water bottle or camel pack, and a nut-free snack with a label for each adventure.

*Study hall for MLA students will be from 3:15 until 4:00 to allow time for public school
and home-school students to travel to MLA. We will begin class promptly at 4:00!

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Jaguares (Mountain Lions)

– Thursdays starting August 31st until November 17th
– 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm*
– Students may arrive as early as 3:15
– 8th Grade through 12th Grade
– Instructors: Various
– Cost: $235
– Fall Theme:
– Campout: September 29th – September 30th

This advanced group has options to focus on different specialty Paths: Medic, Scout, and Provider; and our newest one, Mountain Medic. Jaguares will work towards graduating their chosen Path. At this level, students are able to complete scenarios as a pack and begin to consider their responsibilities as leaders, including our obligations to the greater community, and the stewardship of our natural areas.

This semester the Jags will be focusing on a variety of units based on the unique skills of our various instructors. These lessons will help them advance through their chosen paths or through the Mountain Medic program. These units may be different for each student depending on what they need to work on, their interests, and the specific lesson for that class. There will also be time for advanced students to work on their Provider projects if they are close to graduating.

We will be going outside in ALL weather types (Cold, wet, rainy, and muddy!). Please feel free to e-mail Jaguare instructor, Jen at [email protected] if you have questions about gear. This is an advanced class so each Jaguare will need the following: a day pack, water bottle or camel pack, a nut-free snack, a compass, a safety whistle on a cord, a 100-foot coil of paracord, matches and/or a lighter, proper footwear and clothing, a trash bag, other applicable survival materials, and any books that they receive to use in this class.

*Study hall for MLA students will be from 3:15 until 4:00 to allow time for public school
and home-school students to travel to MLA. We will begin class promptly at 5:00!

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Forest Fitness

– Fridays starting September 1st until November 17th
– 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm*
– Students may arrive as early as 3:15
– 4th Grade+ (Younger students may be admitted with permission from the instructor)
– Instructors: Mr. Will
– Cost: $225
– Special Event: November 17th

Forest Fitness is a class all about being healthy in an outdoor environment. Our focus is not only on lifting, but also movement, stretching, and nutrition. The focus is not about how much weight you can lift, but instead on how well you can move yourself. Classes will include climbing, running, throwing, stretching, and much more! We will utilize the ENTIRE campus ranging from the field to the bars to Maple Clearing!

Students should dress appropriately for the weather. In the warmer months light weight clothing is fine, but as it gets colder they should dress in layers, starting with shorts and a t-shirt, sweat pants, sweatshirt, and a lightweight toboggan. This way we can work out in all weather and still be able to remove layers as necessary. In case of rain, a lightweight poncho is recommended. Some students may also want to have a pair of weight lifting gloves to prevent blisters.

Parents: personal responsibility is a BIG part of this class, so remind your child to prepare and encourage them to pack their own gear the night before. We will be going outside in ALL weather types (Cold, wet, rainy, and muddy!). Please feel free to e-mail Forest Fitness instructor, Mr. Will at [email protected] if you have questions about gear. Each child needs to bring a backpack, layered clothing options, a water bottle or camel pack, a towel, and a nut-free snack with a label. (The label is extra important for this class since we will be using the nutrition information on the packaging as a teaching tool!)

*Study hall for MLA students will be from 3:15 until 4:00 to allow time for public school
and home-school students to travel to MLA. We will begin class promptly at 4:00!

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Wildcraft Wednesdays (Jackalopes)

– Wednesdays starting August 30th until November 15th
– 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm*
– Students may arrive as early as 3:15
– 4th Grade+ (Younger students may be admitted with permission from the instructor)
– Instructors: Mr. Jason
– Cost: $225
– Fall Theme: Communing with Nature
– Special Event: Fall Harvest Festival, Wednesday, November 15th

Wildcraft Wednesdays is an open-aged class where students can embrace their creative freedom in the woods! They will learn about local folklore, observe the wonders of nature, and how to create art in the wild. Wildcraft Wednesdays is open to a wide age-range and students will be able to participate equally whether they are in 4th grade or high school. Their only limit is their imagination!

This semester the theme is Communing with Nature. Mr. Jason is going to (attempt to) teach the kids about meditation in natural settings. Each location has its own unique features that allow for different levels of focus. One of the best parts about meditating in nature is that the longer you can be still, the more likely that wildlife is to visit!

Parents: personal responsibility is a BIG part of this club, so remind your child to prepare and encourage them to pack their own gear the night before. We will be going outside in ALL weather types (Cold, wet, rainy, and muddy!). Please feel free to e-mail Wildcraft Wednesdays instructor, Mr. Jason at [email protected] if you have questions about gear. Each child needs to bring a backpack, a water bottle or camel pack, and a nut-free snack with a label for each adventure.

*Study hall for MLA students will be from 3:15 until 4:00 to allow time for public school
and home-school students to travel to MLA. We will begin class promptly at 4:00!

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TTRPG Club

– Fridays starting September 1st until November 17th
– 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm*
– Students may arrive as early as 3:15
– 5th Grade+ (Younger students may be admitted with permission from the instructor)
– Instructors: Mr. Jason
– Cost: $150
– Fall Game: Shadowdark